'Kim Ha-sung Oh My' Best Friend Profar Is Again Proactive → 162G Suspension' 2026 has disappeared'... Rojas will be punished for 80G

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Ha-sung (31) and Atlanta Braves teammate Jurickson Profar (33), who has been well known since their days with the San Diego Padres, tested positive for banned drugs for the second time and faced a strong withdrawal.

U.S. media Yahoo Sports said on the 4th (Korea Standard Time) that "Atlanta's designated hitter Profar was suspended for 162 games last year for his second positive drug test."

Profar, who was already caught in a drug test last year and was suspended for 80 games. Once again, he was caught and took the entire 2026 season off.

"We are deeply disappointed to learn that Profar has violated Major League Baseball (MLB) drug prevention and treatment programs by testing positive for performance-enhancing substances," Atlanta said in an official statement. Atlanta fully supports the program."

Propa tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a banned drug, in March last year. This is a hormone produced during pregnancy, but in the case of men, it can stimulate testosterone production, so it is a substance that is defined as a prohibited drug. As a result, MLB already suspended him for 80 games and disqualified him from playing in the postseason, but he was caught once again and the level of disciplinary action became stronger.

According to ESPN reporter Jeff Buzak, whether Atlanta makes the playoffs or not this season, Profar will not be eligible to play and will not be able to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which was scheduled to play for the Dutch national team, which includes players from his hometown of Quiraso.

In addition, Profar will give up his $15 million salary for the 2026 MLB season. After that, Profar will have one year, $15 million left out of a three-year, $42 million contract he signed with the Braves after being named an All-Star for the San Diego Padres in 2024 and winning a Silver Slugger Award.

MLB has strengthened the level of punishment for drug use since 2014. The disciplinary action against players caught in the second inning was raised to 162 games of suspension. Since then, only six players have been suspended for 162 games, including Profar, and Profar has become the first player in two and a half years to receive this disciplinary action.

Profar, who returned from disciplinary action last year, played in 80 games with a batting average of 0.245 14 home runs and 43 RBIs, an on-base percentage of 0.353, a slugging percentage of 0.434 and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.787.

Profar, who has worked with Kim Ha-sung since San Diego, left the team first, and Kim Ha-sung will wear the Atlanta uniform in a trade. It helped Kim Ha-sung adapt quickly, and Kim Ha-sung signed a one-year contract as a free agent and stayed in Atlanta again.

However, due to the suspension of his best friend, synergy with Kim Ha-sung cannot be expected in 2026.

In addition to Profar, there is another player who has been caught taking banned drugs. Johan Rojas (26), outfielder of the Philadelphia Phillies. Rojas is also expected to be suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance.

According to The Athletic, Rojas has been removed from the list of the Dominican Republic national team participating in the WBC and will appeal the suspension.

The positive test for the banned substance appears to have come during the offseason. It is not yet clear exactly which drug Rojas tested positive for, but he reportedly fired the agent who recruited him in the offseason.

Despite his poor performance, Rojas joined the Philadelphia spring camp and competed with prospect Justin Crawford for the starting center fielder position in the opening game, but naturally gave up the starting position. With one hit in 11 at-bats in five exhibition games, he will have to continue his more difficult survival competition after the disciplinary action is over.

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*This content was translated by AI.